What's in your camera bag?

[Mike Buckley]

Robert was looking for a thread about what people put in their camera bag and couldn't find one. I couldn't either, so I figured it would be easy enough to quickly get one going.

Please list everything stored in your camera bag other than cameras and lenses.

[Mike Buckley]

Extras
Camera batteries
Flash unit batteries
Lens cap keepers
Plastic covering that fits the camera's LCD
Memory cards
2 GB memory card storing the file that automatically sets custom camera settings

Lists
List of custom camera settings (for cameras that don't have the capability mentioned immediately above)
List of camera and flash settings when using flash units on or off the camera

Filters
Polarizer filters
Pair of filter wrenches

Personal Comfort
Salt tablets (for use when taking long hikes on hot, humid days)
Headband (for use when taking hikes)
Pair of gloves that can be used on cold days that also allow me to operate camera controls

Maintenance & Protection
Rocket blower
Protective pads placed in between lenses occupying the same compartment
Optech rain sleeve
Lens cleaner (liquid)
Micro-fiber cloth

Reflectors
Small circular reflector that expands into a larger size
DIY reflector attached by velcro to a flash unit

Other
Flash unit
Hoodman loupe
Small notebook for making notes about whatever
Flash light (torch)
Magnifying glass

[RBSinTo]

Oh, just the usual stuff:

[Mike Buckley]

What in the world do use the sledge hammer and screw drivers for?

[RBSinTo]

Mike,
Repairs and fine adjustments to my gear of course.
Robert

[Manfred M]

And the gun is to ensure that your subject does not move until you tell them to?

[rpcrowe]

I don't have any "standard" load for my camera bag or bags. I pack whatever I think I will need: always trying for minimum weight and bulk. In fact, many times I shoot with no bag at all and carry the gear I need in my photo vest.

[pnodrog]

Oh, just the usual stuff:

Obviously not a landscape photographer - missing the chainsaw.

[Black Pearl]

I don't have one camera bag, I have several and the one I take out along with its contents vary on a daily basis...literally I never have with me today what I took with me yesterday.

Typically though a spare battery or two, a lens cloth/fluid, a cable release, 10 stopper and a multi tool.

[RBSinTo]

And the gun is to ensure that your subject does not move until you tell them to?

Manfred,
No. it's a guaranteed never to fail Model Release.
Robert

[LePetomane]

Oh, just the usual stuff:

That picture reminds me of this scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPwW7RaPO_g

[CP140]

Typically... spare battery and memory cards, filters, body cap, rear lens cap, cleaning supplies (blower brush etc.), lenses as needed (depends what I'm doing that day), granola bar, juice box, water bottle, map and GPS, sunscreen and/or bug dope depending on weather/season), meds and associated supplies needed for the day, notebook, pencil, multi-tool or knife (Leatherman or Swiss Army knife), flashlight, matches/lighter, small bills and coins in the local currency, mobile/cel phone...

[rpcrowe]

Typically... spare battery and memory cards, filters, body cap, rear lens cap, cleaning supplies (blower brush etc.), lenses as needed (depends what I'm doing that day), granola bar, juice box, water bottle, map and GPS, sunscreen and/or bug dope depending on weather/season), meds and associated supplies needed for the day, notebook, pencil, multi-tool or knife (Leatherman or Swiss Army knife), flashlight, matches/lighter, small bills and coins in the local currency, mobile/cel phone...

I carry a Swiss Army Knife and a Leatherman Micra tool. The other tools which I may often have with me are filter wrenches which are like insurance policies, you don't need them until you need them...

I will carry a flashlight if I am planning a night shoot and a pair of across the counter reading glasses in my magnification.

Something I usually do when I park my car in a strange area is shoot an image of street sign at the closest intersection to where I park my car. Nothing would be more annoying than to not being able to find your car and not knowing where you parked it.

I am lucky (or unlucky) enough to qualify for a California Handicapped Placard which gives me a lot of parking privileges in California such as not having to feed parking meters and not being restricted by time limits in parking places. I am usually driving my own card which always has the placard in the glove box but, will carry the placard in my camera bag if I am in someone else's car... Before I had the placard, I would have to carry a load of silver change for parking meters as well as a roll of single dollar bills for commercial parking lots. I still have to pay in commercial lots but, use these a lot less often...

[James G]

Pens and note pads, wet wipes, elastic bands and 5 cable ties.
Spare batteries for Camera (4)
Spare SD and CF card sets for camera .. in protective case

Intervalometer/electronic remote shutter release (cable link )
Wireless remote shutter release
Neutral Density filters and holder
Binoculars
Flash Socket Spirit level
Small LED torch
Small Redlight LED torch
Circular Polarising filters x2

Rocket Blower
Spyder ChekR 24 colour and Gray card

Couple of spare lenscaps

7inch Tablet computer and cable to link to camera for remote control.

Thermal Gloves (that can be used with camera controls)

Space Blankets x2

Black Rapid camera strap & Capture Camera clip (for rucksack)
Monopod Attached but not in


My Swiss Army penknife stays in my pocket



Not actually in or on my canera bag but with me, hanging somewhere...

Twin Flash when doing Macro
Sekonic Light meter

[CP140]

I carry a Swiss Army Knife and a Leatherman Micra tool. The other tools which I may often have with me are filter wrenches which are like insurance policies, you don't need them until you need them...

I will carry a flashlight if I am planning a night shoot and a pair of across the counter reading glasses in my magnification.

Something I usually do when I park my car in a strange area is shoot an image of street sign at the closest intersection to where I park my car. Nothing would be more annoying than to not being able to find your car and not knowing where you parked it.

I am lucky (or unlucky) enough to qualify for a California Handicapped Placard which gives me a lot of parking privileges in California such as not having to feed parking meters and not being restricted by time limits in parking places. I am usually driving my own card which always has the placard in the glove box but, will carry the placard in my camera bag if I am in someone else's car... Before I had the placard, I would have to carry a load of silver change for parking meters as well as a roll of single dollar bills for commercial parking lots. I still have to pay in commercial lots but, use these a lot less often...

That's a good idea bout the street signs. Hadn't thought of that. I do something similar when visiting museums or such... take a picture of the sign/entrance... then I know where all images that follow are from....because when you're on the ABC (Another B... Cathedral) tour of any major city in Europe it is easy to lose track of where you were on a particular day.

I have a small flashlight with me all the time... not just in my camera bag, but in my "go to work" bag... finding something underneath a car seat, airline seat, looking under the hood of the car (there's another one in the car itself of course), lighting up the inside of the machines at work to find some small part that has dropped out of place or whatever.

Light is absolutely critical... like we, as photographers (I'd link to think I'm one even if my photos are mediocre )need to be told that...

[RBSinTo]

I carry a Swiss Army Knife and a Leatherman Micra tool. The other tools which I may often have with me are filter wrenches which are like insurance policies, you don't need them until you need them...

I will carry a flashlight if I am planning a night shoot and a pair of across the counter reading glasses in my magnification.

Something I usually do when I park my car in a strange area is shoot an image of street sign at the closest intersection to where I park my car. Nothing would be more annoying than to not being able to find your car and not knowing where you parked it.

I am lucky (or unlucky) enough to qualify for a California Handicapped Placard which gives me a lot of parking privileges in California such as not having to feed parking meters and not being restricted by time limits in parking places. I am usually driving my own card which always has the placard in the glove box but, will carry the placard in my camera bag if I am in someone else's car... Before I had the placard, I would have to carry a load of silver change for parking meters as well as a roll of single dollar bills for commercial parking lots. I still have to pay in commercial lots but, use these a lot less often...

Richard,
Because I don't shoot Digital, I just take the street sign with me, and that way I too always remember where my car is parked.
Robert

[rpcrowe]

BTW: I pack my Swiss Army Knife and my Leatherman Tool in my checked on baggage when I am flying. If I am flying with only carry-on baggage (as I often do) I carry neither the Leatherman or the Swiss Army tools...

[Mike Buckley]

Richard,
Because I don't shoot Digital, I just take the street sign with me, and that way I too always remember where my car is parked.
Robert

Not true. That means you only know the name of the street the car is parked on. You then have to remember how to find that street.

[CP140]

BTW: I pack my Swiss Army Knife and my Leatherman Tool in my checked on baggage when I am flying. If I am flying with only carry-on baggage (as I often do) I carry neither the Leatherman or the Swiss Army tools...

Absolutely.... anything sharp and pointy goes in checked baggage....

[RBSinTo]

Not true. That means you only know the name of the street the car is parked on. You then have to remember how to find that street.

Silly boy!
I leave the signpost, and tie some string to it which I unravel as I go. Then I just rewind it to get back!
So I know the name of the street and how to get to it.
Robert